Hitting Flat/dead spot from 3k to 4k

[grandprix34]

Got the car back 2days ago and besides the virbations and horrible noise, the only bad performance wise thing i noticed was that i am hitting a flat or dead spot at 3k-4K...this is at WOT it will rev fast to 3K then it feels heavy or like it struggles abit then it climbs fast past the 4K

Another thing is from a complete stop just simply accelerating feels like the car is heavy as though it pauses for about 1/2 to a second and THEN it continues...

All input is welcome!!!

one minor note so i dont have to start another thread:

- wat could a grinding noise be at the bottom of the motor? Sounds like a grinding pulley/bearing. Posted a vid awhile back and some peeps described it as the devil on the gmforums..

[SappySE107]

You got those cams I sent you on there now right? Are they bouncing around like the old set or what? You might have something really messed up on the bottom end, which would require a complete rebuild of the bottom end to fix. Only time I have witnessed those symptons was when the cams were timed wrong.

[grandprix34]

yeah the GM mechanci replaced the cam carrier...upon inspection the old cam carriers on the car, he said there was wear on two lobes of the cams. The lifters were good, but there was play from the intake cam. That explains the bolt oscillating symptom. The timing prob seems right. I'm gonna take it back so he can take a look again

Its odd cuz he times cars be lifting the engine out of the engine bay....why, only God knows...but he got the job done the 1st time before replacing the cam carrier

[SappySE107]

If he lifts the engine out to time it, I would suspect he charges more to do the timing. I've heard of people doing it that way but I thought it was a rumor. I mean, thats the same as telling me he drops the subframe to change the oil. Oh well, whatever works I suppose.

[grandprix34]

If he lifts the engine out to time it, I would suspect he charges more to do the timing. I've heard of people doing it that way but I thought it was a rumor. I mean, thats the same as telling me he drops the subframe to change the oil. Oh well, whatever works I suppose.

actually, he drops the subframe to change the alt

To retime the engine with me providing the parts, he chargd me $130. parts from the dealership came to about $200+

$119 for the tensioner pulley/bearing
$86 for Tensioner actuator
$56 cam carrier gasket special ordered

the 1st mechanic that sent my car to hell charged $650 and he didnt even change the tensioner actuator or ten. pulley

[SappySE107]

damn, thats cheap for having to lift the motor up as well. Hopefully he knows not to set all the cam flats up at the same time.

[grandprix34]

would the car still run with the flats up?

[SappySE107]

yup, sure would. it would vibrate, make a rattling noise, and seem ok but the powerband would be very odd...just like you describe. Its possble to say the least.

[grandprix34]

one more question...the only way to verify is to remove the plenum and rear valve cover and visually insepct the timing right? lets say the rear flats were up just like the front. Could i simply take some vise grips on the front cams, remove belt and just turn the rear cams until they are flats down?

[SappySE107]

thats what you need to do to check the timing. As far as "simply" retiming it...not happening. You would want to pull the belt, pull the cam gears and do it from scratch. Now, as far as how others do it and get around the tensioner, and use vise grips...and whatever else. I don't do things like that cause I have the tools to do it the dead on accurate way.

[grandprix34]

damn, thats cheap for having to lift the motor up as well. Hopefully he knows not to set all the cam flats up at the same time.

BINGO! just pullled the plenum and valve cover and all cams were up! Any possible damagea from this?

Can i reuse the old gaskets fmo the plenum?

[SappySE107]

you can reuse the gaskets...and no damage that I can think of but you need to get that fixed:P